‘NO EFFORT WAS SPARED
TO DEHUMANIZE AND DESTROY ME’
To Cory, my dearly beloved wife, my patient suffering mother, my darling
children, my
sisters, brothers and relatives, friends, and
supporters:
I
have requested my lawyers to withdraw whatever cases and motions I have in the Supreme Court. I have also vowed to continue the hunger
strike I began ten days ago.
You will probably ask me why I have chosen this course of action. I owe you an explanation,
not only because you have stood by me all these years, but because in my mind I feel I am entitled to your steadfast, unflinching support only when I truly deserve it.
Last April 4, when the Military Commission suddenly made a complete turn-about and forced me, against my will, to be present in proceedings which are not only clearly illegal but unjust, I said I shall have no other alternative but to go on a hunger strike in protest against a procedure that is intended to humiliate and dehumanize me, considering that all they wanted was for me to be identified as a common criminal, and not only for myself but on behalf of the many other victims of today’s oppression and injustices.
I had filed in the Supreme Court a petition for
prohibition against the Military Commission since August, 1973. I
had asked for an injunction days before it started its hearing on August 27, 1973. No injunction was issued by the Supreme Court and in the hearing before the Military Commission on August 27, 1973, I declared that I would not participate in the proceedings of the military tribunal. I want you to recall what I said then-that my case is unique in that more than one year before Mr. Marcos proclaimed martial law, he had publicly accused me and pronounced me guilty, on the basis of evidence which he described as “not only strong but overwhelming,” that he could have filed the charges against me with the civil courts which were not then under his control, that the trial before the military tribunal would be an unconscionable mockery because its members are subordinates of the President and are completely beholden to him, that every part of my being is against one-man rule, that I fully realize the consequences of my decision, that I have chosen to follow my conscience and accept the tyrant’s verdict.
These sentiments are even more valid today than on that day when they were first uttered.
I had expected the Supreme Court in 1974 to issue a temporary injunction or even a restraining order against the Military Commission, especially after my lawyers called its attention to two press statements of Mr. Marcos before the world saying he had actually removed martial law, and that legally martial law no longer existed in the Philippines. The Government lawyers, I understand, admitted the fact that he had made those statements.
Then, last March 10, 1975, the Military Commission granted, without my knowledge and without first hearing me, a petition filed by the Prosecution to perpetuate the testimonies of unidentified witnesses against me, and scheduled the hearings on March 31 up to April 4.
As soon as I god hold of the papers, my lawyers filed with the Supreme Court an Urgent Motion dated March 24, 1975, for the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the Military Commission, on the main ground that to hear the testimonies of these witnesses would render the prohibition suit in the Supreme Court moot, and academic, since the perpetuation of testimony proceedings would actually be a part of the trial-the very question at issue in the high court.
No restraining order was issued. The Military Commission held its first hearing, as scheduled, last March 31. At the very start, I questioned the legal authority of the Military Commission to perpetuate the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses on the ground of lack of jurisdiction, and estoppel. I pointed out that to proceed would be to let our people know that Mr. Marcos, who is my accuser, is also the prosecutor and final judge of his own charges against me. The Prosecution replied that the proceedings were merely for perpetuation of testimony and were not a part of the trial.
The hearing before
the Military Commission was continued on April 1, on which date the Commission brushed aside my opposition, saying that the proceedings were not a part of the trial. On the question of whether I should be present or not, it rendered a well-studied ruling that in accordance with law I need not be present.
I went back to my prison cell. To my surprise, on April 2, I received a Motion for Reconsideration from the Prosecution, asking the Commission to set aside its own ruling, and to compel me to be present. I knew in my bones that Mr. Marcos would not be satisfied with my absence-he wanted me to be humiliated and demolished frontally! Hearing was resumed on April 3, and on April 4 the Military Commission ordered that I be produced bodily before it. In a ruling that shocked me, the military tribunal reversed its own decision and held that the proceedings were now part of the actual trial, and that I must be present, even against my will. I requested for a short period of 7 days, so I could prepare, in my prison cell, a formal Motion for Reconsideration, and allow my lawyers to seek relief from the Supreme Court, but this plea for a 7-day period of suspension was denied on the spot. I thereupon announced that I would go on a hunger strike. Mr. Marcos’ favorite witness, Commander Melody, was immediately called to testify against me. This confessed murderer pointed to me as having ordered Commander Dante, in the presence of so many persons, to liquidate a barrio captain in Tarlac, who had been my loyal follower through many campaigns! Thus began the process of dehumanization.
In the meanwhile, the day before, April 3, my lawyers received a Resolution from the Supreme Court, dated April 1, stating that for “lack of a necessary quorum” of 10 justices, it could not act on my Urgent Motion for a restraining order because it involved a constitutional question.
Hearing continued in the Military Commission, with Commander Melody as the star witness. Through the controlled newspapers and the tv-radio stations, vivid accounts of my supposed crimes against society were recounted. No effort was spared to dehumanize and destroy me as Mr. Marcos’ political rival. I was supposed to be nothing more than a plain criminal.
After the hearing of April 7, I was allowed to meet my lawyers. I told them that at that point I did not need anything from the Supreme Court. Mr. Marcos had already accomplished his propaganda objective. He achieved, through his pampered witness, the purpose he set out to accomplish. My lawyers showed me a draft of a Manifestation they wanted to file. I said I did not want anything from the Supreme Court, and that the whole thing had been designed, composed and orchestrated in Malacañang. My lawyers said it was necessary to call the attention of the Supreme Court to the gross injustices committed against me, so no one could validly say later than the highest court of the land did not know anything about them. I agreed that it be filed, on that understanding.
The next day, April 8, I was brought back to the Military Commission for the resumption of the hearing. I felt very weak, due to hunger, but I had in my favor a clear conscience and a will that is ever stronger now than on the day I started my fast. Mr. Marcos’ star witness had just about finished the demolition job assigned to him. I felt that the case I had filed since 1973 in the Supreme Court had become meaningless. The dictator, with all the awesome powers of his office, had seen to that.
In the afternoon of April 8, after the adjournment of the hearing, my long-suffering wife arrived with the news that the Supreme Court had at last issued a temporary restraining order against the Commission and that there would be a hearing on the Motion for a Restraining Order on April 14, 1975. My reaction was quick, despite my increasing weakness: “This is too late and too little. I don’t need anything anymore from the. Let the military proceedings go on, as scheduled, so the whole world will see the meaning and essence of justice under martial law dictatorship.” The Prosecution had charged that the purpose of my hunger strike was to delay the taking of the testimony of their star witness. Let them eat their words-I want the star witness to go on and on, including all their other witnesses, so the whole world will see the difference between a half-truth and a complete falsehood.
On Bataan Day, April 9, I was brought again before the Military Commission. The Prosecution read the text of the restraining order and moved that the hearing be adjourned until further orders from the Supreme Court. Just what I thought! They wanted it stopped now-the whole thing has become embarrassing. I asked the permission of the Commission to say a few things. This was granted. I told them my path to God is more important than any oath I could take before men. I wanted my own testimony perpetuated, since I may have to meet my Maker shortly. (By the way, please get the full transcript of my statement.) In part, I said that I may perhaps be credited with a little intelligence. How could I possibly have ordered Dante, in the presence of so many persons, including Melody whom I had never seen or met before,
to liquidate a barrio captain? I also told them I would request my lawyers not to file any petition before the
Supreme Court, to withdraw the urgent motion for restraining order, and for the Military
Commission to continue its hearings.
Despite my hunger strike, or probably because of it, I see with unmistakable clarity that my legal battles in the Supreme
Court are now over. Mr. Marcos is the single genius, composing and directing all the proceedings, whether in the military tribunal or in the civil courts. This is the evil of one-man rule at its very worst. He has destroyed the independence of the civil courts, abolished the legislature, controlled the mass media, curtailed our cherished liberties-with the backing of the military, which, ironically, exist “for the good of the people.”
Without the Supreme Court as an obstacle, I have decided to go on my hunger strike and place my fate and my life squarely in the hands of my accuser, prosecutor, and judge-Mr. Marcos. Thus the plain, naked truth will be made clear to our people and to the rest of the world.
As I said, my hunger strike is not for myself alone, but for the many thousands of Filipinos who are helpless victims of the oppression and injustices of the so-called New Society. The meaning and thrust of my struggle and sacrifice transcend the limited question of absence or presence in the proceedings before the military tribunal.
I have therefore solemnly vowed to continue my hunger strike as a symbol of our people’s firm protest against:
1. the trial of civilians before military tribunals, particularly for offenses allegedly committed by them before martial law;
2. the lack of judicial independence. Trials by civil courts would still be a travesty of justice, especially in cases where those in power, their relatives or associates, are interested-for as long as our judges remain “casuals.” They should be given permanent tenure, for their own good and for the benefit of our people who have a vital stake in a sound administration of justice;
3. the absence of a genuine free press. Since martial law was proclaimed, I have been unfairly condemned and vilified by the controlled newspapers and tv-radio stations. I know there are many people who have been similarly pilloried. But a genuine free press is even more important for those who are in power. It may free them form their arrogance, their prejudices, and their pretensions, and help them see the injustices they have committed against their own people; and
4. the further continuation of martial law and its evils and repressions. After all, Mr. Marcos has already announced to the world that he had actually removed martial law since April 1974.
I know I have caused my loved ones immeasurable anguish and sorrow. But as I told the Military Commission last March 31, there comes a time in a man’s life when he must prefer a meaningful death to a meaningless life. Let Mr. Marcos realize that there are still Filipinos who are prepared to suffer and lay down their lives for a cause bigger than their own physical survival.
Others may know better ways of fighting the evils and injustices of one-man rule. But for me, a prisoner in an army camp, my only shelter is a clear conscience, my only shield my unshakeable faith that this is still a moral universe and that right and goodness will triumph in the end. Beyond the greed, the pride, the insolence, and the pretensions of those who rule us through force and fear and fraud, there is a living Almighty God who knows the dark mysteries of evil in the hearts of men. I know His justice, truth, and righteousness will reign and endure forever.
Those who have the force of arms will win in the meanwhile. But they will surely lose in the end. For to paraphrase Unamuno, the great thinker, for them to finally prevail, they must convince; to convince, they have to persuade; and in order to persuade, they need what they do not and cannot have: right and reason in the crucial struggle.
You will never know how much and how often you have been with me in the desolation of my prison cell. But be consoled in the thought that this is the least I can do for our helpless people. My only regret is that I cannot give more.
I
Have Fallen In Love
Lyrics by Ninoy Aquino
Music by Jose Mari Chan
I have fallen in love
With the same woman
three times
In a day spanning
nineteen years
Of tearful joys and
joyful tears.
I loved her first when
she was young
Enchanting and vibrant,
eternally new
She was brilliant,
fragrant and cool
As the morning dew.
I fell in love with her
the second time
When first she bore her
child and mine
Always by my side, the
source of my strength
Helping to turn the
tide.
But there were candles
to burn
The world was my concern
While our home was her
domain
And the people were mine
While the children were
hers to maintain.
So it was in those
eighteen years and a day
Till I was detained
Forced in prison to
stay.
Suddenly she’s our
sole support
Source of comfort
Our wellspring of hope
On her shoulders fell
the burden of life.
I fell in love again
With the same woman the
third time
Looming from the battle
Her courage will never
fade.
Amidst the hardships she
has remained
Undaunted and unafraid
She is calm, composed
She is God’s lovely
maid.
That
single shot on that
fateful day, August 21,
1983 shook a people in a
rage and desperate for
change by the millions and
a troubled country to
stand up and fight the
excesses of strongman rule
via People Power. It was
also a warning sign that
dictatorships are not
permanent.
While there is growing
sentiment today about the
myth that martial
law brought peace
and stability during its
early years, its aftermath
brought nothing but
disaster. Martial law
meant the suppression of
freedom of thought,
expression and judgement
as well as a strongly
protectionist economy
fueled by crony capitalism
that brought the
Philippine economy to
collapse and crisis back
then.
Let us never forget those
consequences of strongman
rule and let us, as
responsible, freedom
loving Filipinos vow never
to let these happen.
It triggered what we know
as People Power, plus the
fact that dictatorships
are not permanent Noel
C. Dolor
Ninoy
was a great inspiration
for me when I was in
highschool. When I was in
my third year I kind of
rebeled and most of the
times I end up cutting
classes. And during those
times I end up going to
the Filipiniana section of
the UST Library and there
I find solace in reading
coffee table books on the
life of Ninoy. I guess he
inspired me to move on
inspite of my personal
problems then in my life. Hadrian
Hernandez
Ninoy literally
sacrificing his life to
the restoration of
our freedom and democracy
in our country the
Philippines. His death in
August 21, 1983 led to the
1986 People Power
Revolution that ousted
Marcos from power through
peaceful means.
Si
Ninoy ay tunay na bayani
ng bansang Pilipinas. Sila
ni Pres.Cory ay mga ICONS
OF DEMOCRACY. hinahangaan
ko sila sa kanilang
pag-ibig sa Bayan. Ninoy
Aquino is known as the
Philippines'Mahatma
Gandhi. Very prophetic ang
mga sinabi nya in his
famous 1981 speech: I
SHALL DEDICATE THE LAST
DROP OF MY BLOOD FOR THE
RESTORATION OF FREEDOM AND
THE DISMANTLEMENT OF YOUR
MARTIAL LAW! This was a
reality that happened on
August 21, 1983. ITULOY
ANG LABAN NINA NINOY AT
CORY PARA SA ATING
KALAYAAN AT DEMOKRASYA! To
Pres.Noynoy: IKAW ANG
TUTULOY SA MGA ADHIKAIN NG
IYONG MGA MAGULANG! Michael
Arrieta
your
a great man ... and by the
time goes u will not be
forgotten thank u!! =))
he really proves that we
Filipino are worth dying
for and by that we just
giving back what he done
for us by supporting and
still remembering all what
his done not only for us
but also for our country Maggie
His
indomitable
spirit and
principles that led our
country to fight and stand
up for our right. And in
exchange for his life, we
learned to be aware of the
value of our country and
our people's justice
through the help of our
GOD. Comment:
I don't know how to start
to follow your steps NINOY,
i guess you just started
in thinking of the
possible ways to show God
and others that you love
them, and strengthen your
principles by making your
self aware of the
sufferings of others, and
you selflessly made
yourself accountable for
it. I really don't know
how to start, but I'd try
my very best to keep up to
your principles in the
help of our God. Jhoi
Lerum
Check
out the full transcript of
Ninoy Aquino's
electrifying speech 28
years ago in L.A. made
available online at http://hawaksatun-og.webs.com/ninoyspeech.htm
Witness the genius, the
intelligence, emotion and
humor of the man who died
25 years ago today so that
many will have the
opportunity to waste their
freedom and liberty in the
altar of corruption and
indifference. Help pass on
the indomitable
spirit of Ninoy
especially to those who
have forgotten and to
those who were to young to
know. Rommel
Ninoy,
hindi ka nag-iisa!!
Patuloy naming
papag-igtingin, at
papagningasin ang apoy sa
pagtunton ng katotohanan.
Kagaya mo, hindi
lang aasa kung hindi
ipapalapat ang adhikain sa
pagkilos at pag gawa.Ito
ang panahon ng pagkibo;
hindi pagkikibit balikat
at pagsasawalang bahala!! Noey
I
just happened to drop by
in this site for my reaction
paper about the People
Power and of
course, the late President
Cory's death. Though I was
not yet born when the EDSA
revolution
happened. Still, after
countless times of
watching documentaries and
of reading articles about
the People Power, I can
say that the whole EDSA
thing really touched me.
Here's a portion of my
reaction paper.
Who are the Aquino couple?
What did they do for the
Philippines? What’s
their role in changing the
course of this nation’s
history? Basically, the
couple gave their life for
the Philippines. One was
killed for the country and
the other gave up living a
normal life for the
country.
As we all know, Lakas
Sambayanan or the People
Power is a very a
memorable event in
Philippine History wherein
the Filipinos
as a whole became united. The
first ever People Power
took place in Highway 54
now known as Epifanio Delo
Santos Avenue or simply
EDSA. Thus, gave birth to
the term, EDSA Revolution.
The couple took so much
part in the above said
uprising. Let’s say
we’d take the couple out
of the picture and say all
the other factors were the
same. What would have
happened? I believe you
and I would have the same
answer. You see, if not
for them there wouldn’t
be a People Power. There
wouldn’t be that
specific reason that would
trigger the Filipino
people to go out on
the streets and fight for
their rights against the
government.
p.s.
I'm sorry if it's not yet
finished because I barely
started it and I'm still
on the searching-for-facts
stage. thank you. :) Zarah
June Koppin Zerna
I
admire him not only as a
hero of our nation but
also as a loving father to
her family. He is away
from them but then, he
managed to feel their love
and presence by their
support, love and prayers. AERYCKA
AGTARAP
Your
love for our country and
its people shall never be
put into waste, for I am
personally moved and
inspired; with all my
strenght make myself
worthy and carry the
burden to improve in my
own little our country's
direction--- thank you
Ninoy! von
guintu
Salamat
sa demokrasyang ibinigay
mo sa buong
pilipinas..salamat din sa
1 cory
aquino na ibinigay
mo sa bayan..maraming
salamat sa inyo pong 2
NINOY at CORY AQUINO
salamat sa lahat ng bagay
na ibinigay nyo sa
pilipinas na aming
nakakamtam sa ngayun
mary dean rezano
Salamat
po sa masidhing pagmamahal
na inalay nyo sa ating
bansa upang makamit ang
tunay na kalayaan na
sumikil sa ating lipunan.
utang po namin sa inyo ang
aming kalayaan na
tinatamasa namin ngayon.
maraming salamat po! jackson
j. yngco
People
who are serving in our
govt''politicians,public
officials''Wake up before
its to late,Huwag nyong
sirain ng tuluyan ang
kagandahan ng
pilipinas''Maawa kayo sa
ating bansa,at sa
kinabukasan ng ating
kabataan.wla ng hihigit pa
sa paghihirap na tinamo ni
Ninoy'' frank
monsod jr
thank
you for leading and
enlighting the mind of
your fellow country men
that leads to our freedom
that we are facing
nowadays...thank you very
much we will never forget
you!!!! jimboy
castro
I walked together with the
leaders and countrymen of
democrary when im in
youngage, you taught me
how to care for my rights
and freedom. i mourned you
on your death, learn to
fight for your cause, for
it is for myself, my
children's children. i was
in people power
revolution. continue to
support democracy under
pres cory. i wish God
sends another like you. i
missed you my leader.
thank you. mon
orate
thank
u po sa lahat ingat katrina
kate villaner
We
love your entire family,
we visited Cory's wake
despite of the heavy
rains. This is the
least we can do in return
to the sacrifies you've
made. Ethel
Jose
I
love reading his letter
and watching his interview johann
Hi,
was wondering if we may
use some of your images
from Ninoy Aquino's
funeral in an article on
SPOT.ph? Trixie
Zabal
Thank you Ninoy for
everything.
I believe Ninoy's most
important contribution is
reminding the Filipino
that among the top ten
traits a Filipino has,
COURAGE always beats FEAR.
He also showed us the
value of prayer during his
incarceration, and how one
should honor, love and
treasure his own family. Jobert
Falcon
I
am an avid fan of him,
because of his love to
this country of ours. He
is true born leader of
this country sacrificing
all his life just to see
our country proud again..
I love him so much.. Nomer
R. Barbosa
Ninoy,
indeed hindi kayo nag-iisa.
You are a greatest leader
and my idol. I
admire you a lot for your
courage, selflessness and
determination to bring
back democracy to every Filipino.
You are really our hero,
hope and inspiration.
We love you. Joselito
Lao Cepeda
You
had done so much to our
nation, your inspiration
will leave on to many Filipinos
who value freedom and
believes in the democratic
process. May your life be
a source of strength and
courage to uphold the
highest truth and maintain
good morals. Dinna
N. Pozas
Thank
you for the gift of
freedom and democracy... Richard
Japson
After
I have read the biography,
I was extremely salute for
bearing more than a heroic
deed he ever offered to
his country.How I wish
that his legacy will
trigger the conscience of
all corrupt officials. Nora
R. Divinagracia
Hope
it will not take too long
for another Ninoy to rise
and save the Philippines
from the corruption of the
government. Ding
My
message, is we must
continue what ninoy did
for our country. Like
ninoy said The Filipino
is worth dying for! Jonathan
Tumang
Thank
you for inspiring the Filipino
people ,to figth
for what is right.Im so
proud of you taht you have
been born as a
Filipino.You and Your wife
are Great Filipino
Heroes..Mabuhay kayo.. Regine
F. Palomo
In
a few hours, my husband
and I will be on our way
to Manila
Cathedral to pay
our last respects to Tita
Cory. I have been
very emotional for the
past days, most especially
now after watching the
video in the homepage.
I've been feeling so down
I could not work decently
last Monday and took the
day off today. I cannot
exactly put my finger on
what my emotions are.
I know there is deep
loneliness because of Tita
Cory's passing. There is
overwhelming gratitude for
the freedom most of us
Filipinos take for
granted. There is
bitterness towards other
people's apathy, like some
of my officemates' which
really put me off last
Monday. There is
disappointment with myself
for not doing more to
help, to keep Ninoy and
Cory's fight alive. There
is impatience with myself
with being 32 and not
establishing myself
solidly and quickly enough
so that I had provided
already for my family so I
can spend most of time for
others
and country. I know
I have the passion, the
love, the talent to
contribute more. The
fact that it remains a
vision sometime in the
future frustrates me. I am
anxious and restless.
The past days have left me
questioning how I'm living
my life and where I'm
going. Is it enough
that I am a good citizen
and I do my best to
provide a good life for my
family? I guess Tita
Cory answered this in the
video. She just lost
her husband to the cause
of freedom and asked
herself if that is enough.
Yet her answer is we can
do more, give more.
But I ask is doing more,
giving more a privilege of
those who have excess?
I will surely be pondering
on these questions in the
coming days. One
thing is certain though.
The fire that started
burning in my young heart
when I wrote a paper on
Ninoy when I was in 6th
grade has burned even
brighter with Tita Cory's
passing. I will take on
the torch. Let's
keep their memories and
their fight alive. Let us
live eserving to be called
the Filipinos Ninoy died
for and Cory lived for. Rose
Dizon
He
is our modern
day hero full of
fortitude and courage.
Truly, Filipinos
are worth dying for. kiwipot
You
will always be in the
heart of the Filipino
People. . Rissa
Santos
I
was on my grade school
when Ninoy died, learning
all what he did is a true
inspiration to every Filipino. Tess
Real
I
was particularly happy
about the one taken during
Ninoy and Cory's wedding
day. I am a parishioner of
the Our
Lady of Sorrows
Parish and we are now in a
phase wherein we are
trying to bring the
parishioners back to
active involvement in the
parish community. I would
like to share this wedding
picture to them to inspire
them to think highly of
our parish as it once had
a connection to two of our
country's greatest heroes.
Please allow me to use
this picture in our parish
assembly tomorrow. I am
sure that many would be
delighted. Rest
assured that credits will
be given to you, as the
owner of the site. thank
you very much! Butch
Evarola
After
reading his letter to
Former Sen Rodrigo...my
"little"
knowledge about the
greatness of Ninoy as a
person and as a Filipino...
has widen my horizon as a
person in a truest sense
of the word...He is really
worth dying for.. Melinda
P. Rivera
now
ninoy shall be joined by
her loving wife with our
Creator. but their
sacrifices, their
humility, their goodness,
their love for the
filipino people should
forever be remembered and
the flame of their legacy
should forever kept
burning. jojo
de silva
“One of these days,
when you have completed
your studies I am sure
you will have the
opportunity to visit
many countries. And in
your travels you will
witness a bullfight.
“In Spanish
bullfighting as you —
now a man — know, the
matador is pitted
against an angry bull.
The man goads the bull
to extreme anger and
madness. Then a moment
comes when the bull,
maddened, bleeding and
covered with darts,
feeling his last moment
has come, stops rushing
about and grimly turns
his face on the man with
the scarlet ‘muleta’
and sword. The Spaniards
call this ‘the moment
of truth.’ This is the
climax of the bullfight.
“This afternoon, I
have arrived at my own
moment of truth. After a
lengthy conference with
my lawyers, Senators
Jovito R. Salonga and
Lorenzo Tañada, I made
a very crucial and vital
decision that will
surely affect all our
lives: Mommy’s, your
sisters’, yours and
our entire loved ones as
well as mine.
“I have decided not to
participate in the
proceedings of the
Military Commission
assigned to try the
charges filed against me
by the army prosecution
staff. As you know,
I’ve been charged with
illegal possession of
firearms, violation of
R.A. 1700, otherwise
known as the
‘Anti-Subversion
Act,’ and murder.
“You are still too
young to grasp the full
impact of my decision.
Briefly, by not
participating in the
proceedings, I will not
be represented by
counsel; the prosecution
will present its
witnesses without any
cross examinations; I
will not put up any
defense; I will remain
passive and quiet
through the entire
trial; and I will merely
await the verdict. In as
much as it will be a
completely one-sided
affair, I suppose it is
reasonable to expect
that the maximum penalty
will be given to me. I
expect to be sentenced
to imprisonment the rest
of my natural life, or
possible be sent to
stand before a firing
squad. By adopting the
course of action I
decided upon this
afternoon, I have
literally decided to
walk into the very jaws
of death.
“You may ask: ‘Why
did you do it?’
“Son, my decision is
an act of conscience. It
is an act of protest
against the structures
of injustice that have
been imposed upon our
hapless countrymen.
Futile and puny as it
will surely appear too
many, it is last my act
to defiance against
tyranny and
dictatorship.
“You are my only son.
You carry my name and
the name of my father. I
have no material wealth
to leave you; I never
had time to make money
while I was in the hire
of our people. For this
I am very sorry. I had
hopes of building a
little nest egg for you.
I bought a ranch in
Masbate in the hope that
after 10 or 15 years,
the coconut trees I
planted there would
yield enough to assure
you a modest but
comfortable existence.
Unfortunately, I had to
sell all our properties
as I fought battle after
political battle as a
beleaguered member of
the opposition. And
after the last battle, I
had more obligations
than assets.
“The only valuable
asset I can bequeath to
you now is the name you
carry. I have tried my
best during my years of
public service to keep
that name untarnished
and respected, unmarked
by sorry compromises for
expediency. I now pass
it on to you, as good, I
pray, as when my father,
your grandfather, passed
it on to me.
“I prepared a
statement, which I
intended to read before
the Military Commission
on Monday at the opening
of my trial. I hope the
commission members will
be understanding and
kind enough to allow me
to read my statement
into the record. This
may well be my first and
only participation in
the entire proceedings.
“In this statement I
said: Some people
suggested that I beg for
mercy from the present
powers that be. Son,
this I cannot do in
conscience. I would
rather die on my feet
with honor, than live on
bended knees in shame.
Continue...
Ninoy
LA Speech 1981
(Full
transcript of the
Ninoy Aquino Speech
including open forum
exchanges at a Freedom
Symposium Rally –
Movement for Free
Philippines at
Wilshire Ebell
Theater, Los
Angeles in Feb.
15, 1981.)
Mr. Danny Lamila, my
dear friend Serge
Osmena, Mr. Alvares,
my brothers and
sisters, good
afternoon. I am filled
with happiness to be
with you here this
afternoon, because
this is the first experience in my
life. For the last 25
years I have been a
politician, we used to
pay people to hear us.
This is the first time
people pay to hear me.
As I was sitting down
there, listening to
Danny Lamila, I only
have one advice to
him. Don’t ever go
back to
Manila or you will be
a captured eagle.
I
was asked why I am in
crutches. Is it
because of my heart
operation? The answer
is no. I was already
running two miles four
months after my
operation. I was
already very good, and
my wife can attest to
that... But
unfortunately last
Dec. 6, I was invited
to
Columbus
Ohio, and they made me
speak in so many areas
that day. I barely had
3 hours sleep the
night before, when I
came from Cornell in
Ithaca
New York. I had to fly
back to
Boston to meet my
doctor who came in
from
Dallas. I took him out
for dinner and we
slept at about 2
o’clock in the
morning, I woke up at
5 o’clock in the
morning, I drove to
the airport, I went to
Columbus
Ohio. I arrived in
Columbus
Ohio and the moment I
arrived there, they
made me speak in three
or different
occasions. Finally on
the fourth speaking
engagement that day,
we were headed towards
the
Ohio
State
University where I was
to speak before the
student body. It was
almost 8:30, it was
very dark, when the
van I was riding in
parked. When I
alighted from the van,
I do not know exactly
what happened, but I
think I stepped on a
curb. And then when I
put my weight I
slipped. And little
did I realize that
that single half a
second accident tore
my Achilles heel
tendon, and I had to
go for an operation
after five days. And
I’d been on a cast
for eight weeks, and
I’ve been out of the
cast now for two
weeks, and hopefully
in another two weeks I
will be out and about.
Ninoy
lives ... on the ’net
BY
SAM L. MARCELO, Reporter
Nine
years ago, googling
"Ninoy Aquino"
would have yielded
results for the Ninoy
Aquino International
Airport, Ninoy Aquino
Stadium, Ninoy Aquino
Parks and Wildlife
Center, Ninoy Aquino
Avenue, the P500 bill,
and almost nothing on
Benigno S. Aquino, Jr.,
the man.
The
World Wide Web was a
different place then.
There were no social
networking sites like
Friendster, Multiply,
MySpace, or Facebook.
There was no YouTube or
Wikipedia, and
"twitter" was
something only birds
did.
It
was during this time
that graphic designer
Arnold Barredo started
building one of the
earliest sites dedicated
to the Philippine
senator assassinated on
Aug. 21, 1983. When he
launched "Tribute
to Ninoy" in 2000,
Mr. Barredo wanted to
fill the virtual void
and add to the
information presented in
"The Ninoy Aquino
Scrapbook," a
section in the "EDSA
Revolution" Web
site created by
ThinkQuest, an online
learning platform.
"I’ve
maintained the
’Tribute to Ninoy’
Web site for the past
nine years because I
want people to
appreciate his
greatness, his
brilliance, and his
principles in life. If
his qualities were
injected in all of us
— if we all believed
in fighting for what is
right — I think we’d
have a better
Philippines," said
Mr. Barredo in an e-mail
interview with BusinessWorld.
13
taon
na ring
nananatili
sa internet ang
website na ito,
bagamat may
suliranin ding
dumaan,
ngunit sa
bandang huli
buhay pa rin ang
"TRIBUTE TO
NINOY"
WEBSITE at
patuloy na
nagbibigay gabay
lalo na sa
kabataan para
malaman ang
yugto ng
kasaysayan ukol
sa buhay at
kadakilaan ni
Ninoy.
Ibabahagi
ko ang aking
muntingkuwento,
kung paano at
bakit ko nilikha
ang website na
ito sa salitang
Pilipino, sa
dahilan na hindi
naman ako
gaanong bihasa
sa ingles, at
mas madali kong
maibabahagi ang
kuwento ko sa
tagalog......
This is a collection from the beginning of Cory Aquino’s candidacy for President 1n 1985 up to February 1986. all images are taken from my sister’s scrapbook which she painstakingly compiled, clippings, Articles, photos, souvenirs from the 1986 snap election, and the rally that she attended in the height of nationwide protest under the Marcos regime.
It will gives you a visual insight of how the atmosphere back then, full of hope inspite the turmoil, willing to sacrifice and knows the
importance of solidarity.
My sister was a volunteered CAPM or Cory Aquino for President Movement. Actively
participated for Cory's
candidacy, also a watcher in canvassing the
ballots in the precinct,
up to Batasang Pambansa. We also helped her set up a small headquarters by distributing campaign materials,
and at nightime,
attentively posting a
campaign posters on the
street wall. It's quite
scary but a great
experience.
"And
now Cory left us, I feel
sad at the same time
proud for being part of
her life, we able to do
our small share to the
woman who always be the
Mother and the
conscience of this
nation.
Many
thanks to
NATV (Ninoy
Aquino TV)
for
providing us
great video
resources of
Ninoy,
without you, it
still an
impossible
dream to see
this rare
footages.
For more
videos,
visit NATV website: http://www.youtube.com/user/NinoyAquinoTV
NINOY
FAN (PIPOL
2003)
Salamat
ng marami NATV
sa pag-upload
ng video na
ito, sa
tagal na ng
panahon ang
lumipas,
hindi ko
akalain na
mapapanood
ko pa pala
ang
interview na
ito, hidi
ito
maisasakatuparan
kung wala
kayong
matiyagang
nagrerecord
lahat ng
palabas na
may
kaugnayan
kay Ninoy!
Malaking
bagay kayo
sa
sambayanang
Pilipino!!
The Heart
& The
Soul (1 of
3)
Ninoy Aquino's memorable speech in
Los Angeles! (1 of 9 )
Ninoy Aquino's guest appearance on The
700 Club Part 1
NINOY AQUINO: Worth Dying For (the last interview!)
NINOY's guest appearance on
"Face The Nation" talk show (an excerpt)
BATAS
MILITAR:
Martial Law
in the
Philippines
(1 of 11)
Photo Tour of Ninoy Aquino's House
This web page is a special treat for everyone. A chance to look into the house where Ninoy used to run around as a young boy up to age 3 before moving to Manila when his father was elected to the National
Assembly.
Worth This piece was selected by the Board of Judges as one of the honorable mention in the Ninoy Aquino Writing and Song Contest organized by HTA sa GMA (on DZBB, a local radio station) and Radyo Balintataw on DZRH.